Millstone man willling to surrender animals living in deplorable conditions

More than 200 animals were found at a farm in Millstone. Reports of dead animals prompted an investigation.

Monmouth County SPCA

Christopher Lance Vaccaro, 45 of Stillhouse Road in Millstone, N.J. agreed on Wednesday to surrender animals found at his farm earlier in the week living in egregious conditions reported the Asbury Park Press.

On Monday, investigators for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found 200 animals on the property; many with no access to water and at least five of the animals dead.

According to a press release by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, there were 100 goats, 80 sheep, six miniature donkeys, a horse, chickens, turkeys, peacocks, dogs and cats.

Dead animals were found lying around areas with living animals.

Area residents had been complaining about animals wandering on the roadways and many of them looking undernourished.

Vaccaro has been charged with five counts of failure to provide care for animals, five counts of failure to provide clean water, one count of not removing an animal's dead body within 24 hours, and one count of animal neglect for a horse.

Authorities believe the animals died from the recent extreme temperatures and from no available water.

Plans have not been finalized yet to remove the animals and find suitable sanctuaries and rescues.

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